Welcome to the McKinlay Branch!
McKinlay is one of the oldest branches in QLD, commencing on 7 May 1972 by founding members Mrs Anne Banning - President and Mrs Margery Solomon - Secretary/Treasurer. Branch memberships have been strong and continuous over the decades and members now have children stretching from preschool to tertiary education levels. Our most famous local resident and branch member is past QLD State President Lorraine McGinnis. Lorraine and State Council members worked tirelessly to ensure that isolated families have access to a broad range of education opportunities.
Past branch committees in the late 80/90’s organised mini-school events and art workshops, which were then not offered by the Mt. Isa School of the Air. These events were highly sociable, fun days and were enjoyed by everyone who attended.
Over the years the branch has catered for conferences and raised funds through seeking donations. Most of these donations have come from the local BHP Cannington Lead/Zinc/Silver mine, which is located 80 km west of McKinlay.
In 2010, the branch applied for a Regional Arts Development Fund Application (R.A.D.F) to provide Art workshops for local children, using a locally qualified art teacher. These lessons were a great success, with families traveling up to 200km to attend. The workshops allowed the children to improve their artistic skills and enjoy common contrariety with the regular interaction in an informal setting. The art work created by the children was exhibited at the McKinlay Race Day in 2011.
The Mt. Isa School of the Air delivers distance education to a staggering geographical area of 800,000 km².
